Post-Operative Tips To Follow After Your Dental Scaling

Your usual general dental checkup involves dental scaling to remove tartar buildup. In the first few days, you might experience tooth sensitivity. All you need to do is follow post-care instructions to relieve any feeling of discomfort.

Your dentist conducts dental scaling and root planing to clean your teeth and gums. The combined procedure serves as a preventive gum disease treatment.

Dental scaling aims to fight off any inflammation that can lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal or gum disease is a common concern that worsens if left untreated.

Does dental scaling cause hypersensitivity?

It is essential for you to undergo teeth scaling as a part of a deep cleaning teeth procedure. Your dentist uses scaling tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line.

Since the scaling tool can go below the gum line, root planing exposes the tooth root briefly. During the first 24 hours, it is normal to experience tooth sensitivity.

Signs that may lead to tooth sensitivity

The common signs that can trigger sensitivity are as follows:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Inflammation

All these signs are normal. You’ll need to wait for a few days before your gums can completely reattach to the teeth. You don’t have to fret, as the discomfort you may be experiencing will soon pass. 

Helpful reminders to relieve discomfort

For faster healing, you need to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions. Here are some tips you can follow to observe oral care at home.

What you need to do

• Stick to gentle brushing and flossing a few days after your dental cleaning. Once fully recovered, you can do the usual routine you’re doing for your oral care.
• Gargle with a warm saltwater solution at least three times a day. You can create one by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of water. 
• Rinse with a fluoride solution. Many over-the-counter types of mouthwash are available.
• Take the medications your dentist prescribed if there is any. If there is none, simply pop a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen every 6-8 hours.

What you need to avoid

• Eating hot foods like soup and drinking coffee and tea fresh from the pot can burn your mouth. At the same time, ice-cold drinks can trigger hypersensitivity.
• Eating spicy foods can irritate your gums and worsen the inflammation.
• Smoking in the first few days can delay your recovery period. Heat can expose your gum tissues, which can lead to prolonged healing.
• Consuming alcoholic beverages within 48 hours of any periodontal treatment can interfere with your healing process.
• Exercising or engaging in any strenuous physical activity can increase blood pressure. It dissolves the clot needed to hasten your recovery.

You may feel sensitivity during the first two days or so after your dental scaling appointment.

Ask your London dentist for post-operative instructions you can do at home after the procedure.

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